Police veteran named new UTSA chief of police

(July 13, 2016) -- Gerald Lewis, a 29-year law enforcement veteran, has been selected to serve as the new chief of police and associate vice president of public safety at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He will lead 52 sworn officers and 94 civilian employees in the UTSA Police Department.

Since January 2014, Lewis has served as the chief of police at East Carolina University (ECU), responsible for the safety and well-being of nearly 40,000 faculty, staff and students. As chief, Lewis led a department comprised of 58 full-time and 10 reserve police officers, 16 department personnel and 30 part-time student patrol officers.

Prior to coming to ECU, Lewis oversaw public relations and minority recruitment for the New Jersey State Police, where he served for 26 years. He also worked with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to launch campaigns recruiting inner-city minorities to the police force. He retired in 2013 as a major and commanding officer after playing a critical command role during Hurricane Sandy.

"We are pleased to have a very seasoned police veteran joining UTSA to lead our Police, Emergency Management and Environmental Health and Safety division," said Kathy Funk-Baxter, vice president for business affairs. "Chief Lewis will be a strong advocate for creating a safe and secure campus environment that supports our educational mission."

Chief Lewis earned a bachelor's in Public Administration and a master's in Administrative Sciences from Fairleigh Dickinson University, where he also served as an adjunct faculty member.

He is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).

This high school student exhibit features images, videos, interviews and writings that the students learned about while participating in "The Will to Adorn: African American Dress and the Aesthetics of Identity."
Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair Campus

This ceremony honors graduates from the College of Business, College of Engineering, the College of Public Policy and College of Sciences. U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro will deliver the keynote address.
Alamodome. 100 Montana St., Downtown San Antonio

Graduates from the College of Architecture, Construction and Planning, College of Education and Human Development, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, and University College will hear from Mayor Ron Nirenberg.
Alamodome. 100 Montana St., Downtown San Antonio

President Taylor Eighmy invites UTSA faculty and staff to Tacos With Taylor. Take this opportunity to introduce yourself to Dr. Eighmy at any one of these casual meet and greets. Breakfast tacos will be served while supplies last.
Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair Campus

Join the UTSA Small Business Development Center for a day of learning, skill-building, and professional development that will kick-start your small business ambitions in 2018.
Institute of Texan Cultures, Hemisfair Campus

A five-day bus tour of civil rights movement landmarks, studying leadership through the lens of social justice history. Student participants deliver prepared reflections on their learning and application goals. All UTSA community members welcome.
University Center, Denman Room (UC 2.01.28), Main Campus

UTSA's Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA's Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA's Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.